STEVIE WONDERS ABOUT QUALITY

STEVEN GERRARD has serious reservations about the state of the Rangers squad and Ibrox chiefs would need to pull out all the stops to convince him to return as boss.

- BY SCOTT BURNS

The last man to guide the Light Blues to the title is the firm favourite within the club's support to replace Russell Martin, who was sacked on Sunday.

Rattled Rangers top brass called an emergency board meeting yesterday afternoon as they kick off the hunt for Martin's successor.

It is understood beleaguered sporting director Kevin Thelwell and under-fire chief executive Patrick Stewart were involved in the crisis talks with American owner Andrew Cavenagh and right hand man Paraag Marathe.

Gerrard was approached by Cavenagh and his board during the last process, which ended with Martin's short-lived appointment in the summer.

The 45-year-old indicated at that point that he wasn't ready to return to management.